Automatic level hose winder



Jan. 10, 1950 E. F. Russ 2,494,003

AUTOMATIC LEVEL HOSE WINDER Filed Dec. 24, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 mum,

Edward uss INVENTOR Jan. 10, 1950 E. F. RUSS AUTOMATIC LEVEL HOSE WINDER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 24, 1948 Edward 1-. Russ JNVENTOR.

1 BY MW EM P W I Patented Jan. 10, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2.494.003 aurormuc Laval. nose wmnan Ed'wardF. Russ, Euclid-,1 Ohio- Application December 24, 1948, Sel'iitlNO. 67,114

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in automatic level winders and the primary object of the present inventlonis tome-- vide a machine for winding and unwindingv hose; cord, thread or the like onto or from a; drum and. which includes a self-reversible traveling member or spooling device.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide an automatic level winder including a double helix screw or figure eight screw,- a spooling device having apair-oi members which are engaged with the helixv groove for normal tation with the screw, and a novel andifim-proved clutch mechanism engageable with. a selected one of the members. for movement of both members in one longitudinal direction upon. the screw.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a level winder including a spoofing device, clutch means controlling the .spooling device so that the same will move in a selected longitudinal direction, and novel and. improved means controlling the clutch means and adjustablefor changing the timing of the clutch means so that the spool may .be utilized for'unwinding. a hose or the like as well as winding the same.

A still further aim. of. the: present inventionis to provide an automatic level winder that is simple and practical in construction, strong and reliable in use, small and compact in structure, efficient and durable in operation, neat and. attractive in appearance, relatively inexpensive. to manufacture, and. otherwise well. adapted f'orthe purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer tov like parts throughout, and inlwhichz. 1

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of themesent invention and. showing. the same in. use

Figure 2 is a top plan view of Figure 1;.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of Figure 2 taken substantially in the direction f arr w numbered 3 in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view showing the parts. employedv in conjunction with the spooling device;

Figure 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view showing the parts employed in conjunction with the spooling device and the operating means for the movable clutch member; Q a

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially: on the plane ofsection line lIG of Fl'gurefi: j

Figure '7 is an enlarged horizontal sectional 9- Claims.- (Cl. 242-158) view taken substantially on the plane of section line 1-1 01 Figure 3'; and.

Figure 8 is a sectional. view taken substantially on the plane of section line 88 of Figure 4 and illustrating one of the actuating members for the clutch operating rods.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, where-- in for the purpose of illustration, there is disclosed. a preferred embodiment 0f the present invention, the numeral Hi represents a suitable frame gen.- erally' that is supported upon a suitable base (not shown) or upon a structural element, such as a wall or the like, inv any suitable manner.

The frame In includes a pair of side members l2 between which there is journaled for rotation a drum or spoolv [-4 having end flanges l6, it being understood that the drum [4 is suitably keyed to afirst driven shaft l8 that is journaled in suitable bearings carried by the side members l2.

The upper and forward portion 22 of the frame carries bearings 24 in which the reduced ends of a dolstrom screw, figure eight screw or driven shaft26. having a double helix groove 28 are journaled for rotation.

Spooliny' mechanism Attention is now directed more particularly to Figures 4, 5 and 6 wherein there is disclosed the spooling mechanism or traveling member that is used in conjunction with the present invention and which is designated generally by the numeral 30'. This spooling device or mechanism 30' includes a pair of spaced clutch members 32 and 34, inthe form of sleeves, having. end plates 36 and 38 at their inner ends that are formed with lug seats or recesses 40. The inner peripheries of these clutch members 32 and 34 are provided with complete threads or ribs 42 and 44, respectively, that engage the groove 28 and more particularly different helixes of the groove 28.

The clutch members are connected by a pair ofblocks 46 and .48 having central openings for receiving the clutch'mem bers' and so that the clutch members may rotate with respect to the blocks 16 and 48'. The blocks 46 and 48 are fixed to each other bra suitable number'of spacer strips Stand the central portions of a diametrical opposits pair or the spacer strips are provided with openings 52 and 54 for a purpose which will later be'more fully described.

Thrust hearings or ball-bearing races 56' embracing the clutch members 32- and 34 are interposed between the end plates 36 and 38 and the blocks (6 and 48. The outer ends of the clutch members are externally threaded and receivably 64 are carried by the clutch plate 62 and having outwardly projectingend portions for'reception in the recesses 46 in the end plates 36 and 38. 1

An arcuate plate 66 partially embracing and fixed to the outer edge of the clutch plate. 6 2, ;.;1

is provided with an outwardly projecting arm 66 at the center thereof that is loosely received in i i l pntheends ofthe shaft 26 and in such a man- Disposed diametrically opposite from the arthe opening 54.

cuate plate 66, is a further arcuatel plate-"or yoke Ill having its ends pivoted to the diametrically opposite sides of the'clutch plate 62. An arm I2 projects outwardly from the central-portion'of*th'e yoke I6 and is loosely. received' in the: opening 52 for pivotal movement. .1 The lower .end of the yoke I0 is pivoted to the clutch plate 62 by a fastener'lbut the ,upper endidfthe yoke I6 is pivoted to the clutch-plate by a conical element 76 that projects downwardly from. one end of a cylinder I8; A sleeve 86 extends transversely through'the cylinder I8 and receives a g'uidepin 82 that isfixed between ears or supportwallst l'rising vfrom the blocks ;46 and 48 in order to support the clutch plate.

Clutch operating mechanism 'Mans'is,provide d for moving the clutch plate 62 solthat th'e lugs or pins 64 carried by the same maybe receivedjin the recesses 40 in a selected one of the clutch members. This clutcihop'eratingmeans consists of a first pair of elongated operating members or rods 86 the inner ends of which are. joined by a portion 88 which is re movabl secured to the arm 68 (see Figures 5 and6).

The rods 86 are slidablyxreceived in transverse boresfill provided inrthe blocks 46. and 48 .and the outer endsof the rods 86 projectoutward; 137 from, theblocks 46 and 48, and support suit able rollers or anti-friction members 62 "and 164'; Stops 96slidably receivedon the rods 86 ad jacent each end thereof, are adjustable jlongi'e tudinally onthe rods to limit sliding movement of thej rod relative to the blocks 46 and 48. I HA'ffur'ther operating means is provided for moving the clutch plate into and out of locking engagement with the clutch members, and whereas the first named clutch operating means is utiliz'edduring'the winding of .a hose or the like upon the drum I4, this, latest operating means is employed during the unwinding of the of the arm 12. The web of the bifurcatedend or portion I04 is provid d with, actapererdn jection that rs against the web of m her-I02. V

Rollers or anti-friction means I08 and III! are mounted on the outer ends of the rods 98 for a purpose which will later be more fully apparent.

Stops H2 slidably received on the rods 98, adjacent the outer ends thereof, are adjustable on the rods 98 to limit the sliding movement of the rods 98 relative to the blocks 6 and 48.

'11; Actuatz'ng means for clutch operating rods Means is provided for actuating the rods as and 98 as the spooling mechanism '36 is moved longitudinally on the shaft 26 and toward the ends ,of the shaft 26. This actuating means includes a pair of end members or circular plates land I I6 having hub portions that are keyed nerasto permit the end plates lid and II 6 to be rotated a quarter of a turn relative to the shaft 26 before the same are keyed to the shaft 26; this may be accomplished by providing a single. lug in the hub of .each ring H4 and H6 and by providing four equally spaced lug receiving recesses in each end of the shaft 26. By such a'construction the end plates i I 4 and H6 may be- -retained ina selected rotated position relative to the shaft 26. g

- Since both of the end plates H4 and I I6 are similar in construction,'hence a description for one will suffice for. both. For the purpose of ekplanatiodfit will be assumed that the end plate" I I6 is divided :into four equal areas by a pair of diametrical lines that'intersect each other at right angles, at the endsof one of the lines there is provided a cam I I8 and an arcuate recess 01 notch I26 and at the ends of the remaining of the lines is provided a cam-I22 and an arcuatenotch I24. '1

The cams-1w and 122 are disposed adjacent eachother and are disposed diametrically from the recesses I26 and I24respectively.

' "Ifhefunc'tion of these cams and notches will b'e described in detail in the operation of the instant invention, but briefly it may be stated that the same. cooperate with the rollers at the endsof the operating rods during sliding movement of the' operating 'rods.

:- 7: .3 Spoolsupport:

n order' fto prevent the entire weight of the sp qoli ng mechanismfrombeing supported on the shaft26g'there is provided a guide bar I26 that is mountedbetween the upper members I 28 of the j Q v Slid'jably mounted on the guide bar I 26, is a bearing 136 that is suitably secured to blocks 46 f'flose guiding means v ecuredtoand depending from the spooling mechanism 36,'by-any suitable means, is a plurality ofrrollers includinga pair of spaced substantiallyyertica1 rollers I92, an uppersubstanti allyjhcriggntal rcller I44 "and arlower substantially horizontal roller I46. The rollers are mounted for rotation and are arranged to provide a substantially rectangular opening through which the hose I48 is extended.

Further means is provided tor guiding the hose and this means consists of an idler drum or roller I50 that is journaled for rotation on the upper members I28. The idler drum I50 is disposed in a substantially horizontal position. opposes the rollers I42 and is disposed above the central portion of the drum I4.

. H ose. coupling means Embracing one end of the shaft I8, is an inner sleeve I52 that is surrounded by an outer sleeve I54. The outer sleeve I54 is provided with a pair of lateral projections I56.

Receivably engaging the internally threaded socket I58 provided in one end of the shaft I8, is a threaded sleeve I60 having an enlarged head portion I62 that is received in a socket member I64. This socket member I64 receivably engages a fluid supply conduit I 68 and an end plate I68 is removably secured to the socket member I64.

A plurality of connecting rods I10 extend between and are removably secured to the plates I56 and I68 and one of these rods forms a guide for a slidable keeper I 12 having an opening or slot I14.

The socket member "54' is externally threaded and receivably engages a packing. nut I16. having a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending arms I18 projecting therefrom for pcsitioning in the opening I14 to hold the nut I'I6 against rotation.

A look nut I80 threaded on the sleeve I60 abuts a washer I82 about the shaft. I8 and urges the same, toward the sleeves I52 and I54 as shown best in Figure 7 of the drawings.

One flange of the drum I4 is provided with an opening I84 that receives one threaded end I86 of the hose I48, and the end I86 is receivably engaged in a threaded socket I88 provided in the shaft I8 and communicates with a longitudinal passage I90 in the shaft I8.

Obviously, the above described hose coupling rotates with the drum I4 and, a fluid from a suitable source passes through the conduit [66, sleeve I60, passage I90 and hence into, the hose I48.

Means is provided for connecting, the shafts I8 and 26 so that the drum I4 and shaft 26 will. be rotated together and in the same direction. This means comprises a pair of pulleys I92 and I94 that are keyed on the shafts I8. and 2,6, respec tively, and which are connected by an endless belt I96. Obviously, other means could be utilized for this purpose such as gears, reduction gearing, multiple-pulleys or the like.

It should be noted that the shaft I8 or the shaft 26 may be suitably connected to a motor or other source of power whereby the same will be driven. It is preferred that a reversible motor be employed so that the shaft 26 may rotate in either a clockwise direction or counter-clockwise direction depending on whether the hose is to be wound upon the drum I4- or unwound from the drum I4.

Winding operation Reference is now directed more particularly to Figure for the operationof the spooling mechanism.. It will be understood that the shaft. 26. in rotating in a counter-clockwise direction and: spooling mechanism. 30. is moving longitudinally upon the shaft 26, iromright to; left asshowniin this figure since the clutch pins 64 are received in the recesses 38 in. the end plate 38, and that the roller 92 is in its outermost position, the roller 94 is in its innermost position. the roller I08 is in its innermost position, and the roller I I0 is in its outermost position.

.As the spooling mechanism 30, including the clutch members 32 and 34, moves toward the end plate I I6, the roller 92 will come to the edge of the notch I20.

The shaft 26 and end, members I I4 and I I6 are stillturning counter-clockwise and roller 92 bears against. the inner face of end members H6 and starts. rolling imparting a rightward movement of the rod 86 and disengaging the clutch plate 62 from the end plate 38 and moving the rod 98 and roller I88 leftward until the. roller I08 also engages and rolls on the inner face of the end member I I6. When in this latest. position, the mechanism 90. is arrested and inv a neutral position for quarter pause.

Shaft 26 and the end members I I4 and I I6 still rotating in a counter-clockwise direction, cam I22 engages the roller 62' and urges the rod 86 to the right to engage clutch plate 62 with end plate 38 while rod 98 moves leftward and the roller I08 is received in notch I24.

It will be noted that the same rod that disengages the clutch plate 62 from end plate 98 also engages the clutch plate 02 with the end plate 36.

The above operation is repeated with rod 86 and rod 98 with end member II4 still turning counter-clockwise with roller 94 missing notch I20 and engaging, cam I22 and roller H9 being received in notch I24 as the mechanism moves from left to right on the screw 26.

When shaft 26 and end members II4 and H6 are rotating in a clockwise. direction, rod 98 now accomplishes the indexing with roller I08 missing the edge of notch I24 and cam I I8 comes around to engage the roller I98. Roller 92 is received in notch I20 of end member II6 and rod 98 and roller IIO are now in position for return to end member II4, roller IIO to notch I24 and cam II8 comes around to engage same and roller 94 goes in notch I20 of end member II4.

' Unwindind operation Now since the mechanism 30 may be situated uponthe shaft 20 for movement toward one of the end members with the roller or one of the rods 86 inwardly so that the same could not engage the end member that the mechanism 30 is approaching, it is evident that one of the rollers on one of the rods 96 will then engage the cam II8 on the end member that the mechanism is approaching to move the rods 86 and 98 in opposite directions whereupon the rollers on the rods 98 will always engage the cam II8 on the end members to move the rods 86 and in such instances the rollers on the rods 86 will enter the notches I20 in the end members.

To further emphasize the operation of the present invention, it is noted that when the roller 92 is in its outer position the roller H0 is also in its outer position and that the rollers 94 and I08 will be in their innermost positions, so that regardless" of the longitudinal directional movement of the mechanism 30, one roller will always engage a cam on the end members thus permitting automatic operation of the spooling mechanism for both winding and unwinding hose or such other material on the'drum I4.

it is. further noted that. when one ofthe rollers 7 of one'of the operating rods, for example, 'roller 92, is engaged with a cam of one of the end members, one of the rollers of the remaining of the operating rods, for example roller I08, is entering the notch in the one of said end members.

It is noted, that when the shaft 26 is turning counterclockwise and the driving means is stopped and the mechanism 30 is arrested at substantially the center of shaft 26 and the shaft 26' is then rotated clockwise, the mechanism 30 will return to the same end member from which it left prior to the stopping of the machine and the same rod and roller that engaged the end member previously, will then disengage the end memher and the other rod will ngage the end member.

When mechanism 30 is at either end and in pausing position, machine can be stopped and started counterclockwise, and rod 86 and earn 122 will engage and when starter clockwise rod 98 and cam H8 will perform the engaging with the end member.

When the mechanism 30 is in pausing position, rollers 92, 94, I08 and H are extended toward the end members equal amounts. r

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings it is believed that a clear understanding of the construction, operation and advantages of the device will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

'It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention the same is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the'invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In an automatic level hose winder including a'frame and a drum journaled for rotation on said frame, a driven shaft having a double helix groove in its outer periphery, a spooling device movable back and forth on said driven shaft, a clutch controlling the directional movement of said spooling device, means for rotating said drum and said shaft, a slidable operating rod connected to said clutch for operating the same, said rod having first and second end portions, firstancl second end members mounted on and rotatabie with said shaft, means carried by said first end member engageable with the first end portion of said rod during movement of said spooling device in one direction to change the directional movement of said spooling device, and means carried by said second end member engageable with the second end portion of said rod during movementof said spooling device toward said second; end member for changingthe directional movement of said spooling device.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said means carried by said first and second end members includes cams.

3; In an automatic level winding machine, a driven shaft having a double helix groove in its outer periphery, a spooling device movable back and forth on said shaft; said spooling device including first and second clutch members, said first member being engaged with one helix of the groove for rotation with the shaft normally, said second memberbeing engaged with the remaining'helix of the groove for rotation with the shaft normally, means ,connectingsaid members, aplut hic r ied by said connecting'means and engageable' with" a s'elcted'oneof said members for movement of both of said members'in one direction, means operating said clutch for engaging the same with a selected one of said members, and actuating means at the ends of said shaft engageable with said operating means during movement of said members on said shaft to change the directional movement of said members.

4. In an automatic levelwinding machine, a driven shaft having a double helix groove in its outer periphery, a spooling device movable back and forth on said shaft, said spooling device including first and second clutch members, said first member being engaged with one helix of the groove for rotation with theshaft normally, said second member being engaged with the remaining helix of the groovefor rotationwith the shaft normally, means connecting said members, a clutch carried by said connecting means and en-. gageable with a selected one of said members for movement of both of said members in one direction, a slidable Operating rod carried by said connecting means and operatively applied to said clutch for moving .the latter into engagement with a selected one'of said members, said rod having first and second end portions, first and second end plates mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, means carried by said first end plate engageable with said first end portion to move said clutch out of engagementwith said first member and into engagement with said second member upon movement of said members toward said first end plate to change the directional movement of said members, and means carried by said second end plate engageable with the second end portion to move said clutch out of engagement with said second member and into engagement with said-firstmemberupon movement of said members toward said second end plate to change the directional movement of said members.

5. The combination of claim 4, and means carried by said rod, adjacent the ends thereof, for limiting the sliding. movement of said rods relative to said connecting means. 7

6. The combination of claim .5, wherein said means includes a pair of stops adjustably mounts ed on said rod and engageable with said connectingmeans. 1. 7

7. The combination of claim 4, wherein said means carried by said end plates includes a plurality of cams, and rollers on the end portions of said rod engageable with said cams.

8. In an automatic level winding machine, a driven shaft having a double helix groove in its outer periphery, a spooling device movable back and forth on said shaft, said spooling'device-including first and. second clutch members, said first member being engaged with one helix of the groove forrotation with. the shaft normally, said second member being engaged with the remaining helix of the groove for rotation with the shaft normally, means connecting said members, a clutch carried by said connecting means and engageable with a selected one of said members in one direction, a first operating means applied to said clutch for moving the latter into engagement with a selected member, a second operating means applied to said clutch for moving the same into engagement with a'selecte'cl member, means 'at one end of the shaft engaging said first operating means upon movement of said members in one reciprocating direction for disengaging "said clutch from o'neof'said members and engaging the clutch with" the' lemaining of said members 9 to change the directional movement of said members when said shaft is rotating in a clockwise direction, said last-mentioned means being engageable with said second operating means to disengage said clutch from one of said members and engage the clutch with the remaining of said members to change the directional movement of said members when said shaft is rotating in a counter-clockwise direction, and means at the other end of said shaft engaging said first operating means upon movement of said members in one reciprocating direction to change the directional movement of said members when said shaft is rotating in a clockwise direction, said lastnamed means being engageable with said second operating means during movement of said member-s in one reciprocating direction when said shaft is rotating in a counter-clockwise direction for changin the directional movement of said members.

9. The combination of claim 8, wherein said last-mentioned means includes an end plate 10 mounted on and rotatable with said shaft, a cam carried by said plate engageable with a selected one of said operating means during rotation of said shaft in one direction, said plate having a recess for receiving the remaining of said operating means when said cam is engaged with one of said operating means, said cam being also engageable with one of said operating means during rotation of said shaft in an opposite direction, and a further cam carried by said plate engageable with the remaining of said operating means when said shaft is in rotation in said last-mentioned direction.

EDWARD F. RUSS.

REFERENCES CITED FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain of 1865 Number 

